Russia’s Military Modernization Push Is a Game of Catch Up

Moscow’s army is stronger than it has been in decades … but that doesn’t mean much

Russia has gone to pains to display its refurbished and modern military the last few years. First in Georgia, then in Ukraine and now...

Russia has gone to pains to display its refurbished and modern military the last few years. First in Georgia, then in Ukraine and now in Syria. Pundits, journalists and bloggers have marveled at how far Moscow’s military has come after the decade of decay following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

But just how strong is Russia’s military? Are the new tanks, land-based drones, stealth fighters and fancy missiles as effective as Moscow wants the world to believe? How has the conflict in Ukraine and the collapsing price of oil affected its modernization efforts?

This week on War College we talk with Nick de Larrinaga of IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly. De Larrinaga is an expert on European and Russian weapon systems. He walks us through the new weapons Moscow rolled out on the battlefields of Syria and the challenges its army faces as it tries to catch up with the West.